Source: Fu Qingzhu Nuke (Fu Qingzhu’s Obstetrics and Gynecology).

Ingredients:
No. 1 Quandanggui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) 24 g;
No. 2 Chuanxiong (Rhizoma Ligustici Chuanxiong) 9 g;
No. 3 Taoren (Semen Persicae) 6 g;
No. 4 Paojiang (Phizama Zingiberis Praeparatae) 2 g;
No. 5 Zhigancao (Radix Glycyrrhizae Praeparatae) 2 g.
 
Administration:
Decoct the above drugs in water or decoct them with millet wine for oral application.

Actions:
Promoting blood circulation to remove blood stasis, warming the meridians to relieve pain.

Clinical Application:
This recipe is indicated for abdominal pain due to postpartum blood stasis, marked by retention of lochia after delivery, lower abdominal pain with cold sensation. In case of mild abdominal pain, subtract No. 3. In case of sharp pain due to retention of blood mass, add Puhuang (Pollen Typhae), Wulingzhi (Faeces Trogopterorum) and Yanhusuo (Rhizoma Corydalis) to remove blood stasis and relieve pain. In case of sharp lower abdominal pain with cold sensation, add Rougui (Cortex Cinnamomi) and Xiaohuixiang (Fructus Foeniculi) to warm the meridians, dispel cold and relieve pain.

Elucidation:
The syndrome is caused by deficient blood after delivery, cold accumulation and blood mass in the uterine. It should be treated by promoting blood flow, removing blood stasis, warming the meridians and relieving pain. Used in large dosage as monarch drug, No. 1 possesses the function of promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis to promote blood regeneration. No.2 and No. 3 respectively have the effect of promoting the circulation of blood and qi, and promoting blood flow to remove blood stasis, acting together as minister drugs.

No. 4 is the adjuvant drug in the recipe, which can warm the meridains, dispel cold and relieve pain. No. 5 serves as guiding drug, capable of regulating the middle-energizer and relieving spasm as well as mediating the properties of other drugs. The millet wine used when decocting drugs, is meant to improve the properties of other drugs because it can warm the meridians and promote easy flow of blood.

Cautions:
This recipe is contraindicated for retention of lochia after delivery, which is concomitant with fever, thirst, reddened tongue and ascribed to blood stasis due to blood heat.